Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept - Tokyo Auto Show

Although the Tokyo Auto Show is known for wacky concept cars with outlandish styling, Subaru chose this year's show to unveil a handsome new crossover it calls the Advanced Tourer Concept. Featuring a hybrid powerplant and several new technologies, the concept could preview a future model in Subaru's growing product lineup.

The Advanced Tourer Concept's most important advancement is under its hood. According to Subaru, the crossover features a unique hybrid powerplant that consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. While the turbocharger's power and the electric motor's torque combine for the performance of a 2.5-liter engine, Subaru says the concept's small engine size and continuously-variable automatic transmission help it maintain stellar fuel economy.

The luxurious crossover concept also offers several exciting gadgets. According to Subaru, a new crash avoidance system uses two cameras mounted on the rearview mirror, while an infotainment screen projects directly to the center of the SUV's steering wheel. Other features include typical luxury touches like leather upholstery, brushed aluminum trim, a panoramic glass sunroof and large alloy wheels.

Those wheels make up just one component of the Advanced Tourer Concept's striking exterior design, which also includes aggressive, sculpted wheel arches, purposeful front end styling a steeply raked front windshield. Brawny design touches also find their way inside the cabin, where the crossover offers four unique bucket seats, a thick steering wheel and luxurious high-end appointments.

While Subaru likely won't put the Advanced Tourer Concept into production, the SUV could preview the next generation of its Tribeca SUV, which debuted for 2006. We also wouldn't be surprised to see some of the concept's technological features - including its hybrid powertrain and new crash avoidance system - make production on the automaker's upcoming products in the near future.

Jeffrey Archer
is fortunate to have turned a passion for cars into a career. His wide-ranging automotive experience includes work for automakers and dealers in addition to covering the news. When not writing, he spends his time searching for unique cars on AutoTrader.com.